Riding a small boat on the lake was extremely relaxing.
As time passed, the temperature gradually rose. There was sour plum soup on the small table in the boat. Helian Shu picked up a bowl and took a sip. Instantly, a refreshing feeling spread through every corner of her mouth. After drinking a bowl, she felt extremely comfortable.
"Now that it's just the two of us, you can speak your mind. There's no need to beat around the bush anymore." Helian Shu sat upright in her seat, looking down at Xiao Hanzhi in a victorious posture. This look and posture made Xiao Hanzhi feel quite uncomfortable.
Although he was facing a woman, he always had the feeling that he was inferior to Helian Shu, which was hard for him to accept.
However, Helian Shu had witnessed the change of dynasties. She had successfully helped her brother ascend to the throne. How could she lack courage? Although Xiao Hanzhi held a high position, what he had experienced was just a trifle compared to what Helian Shu had been through.
Xiao Hanzhi had not really gone through those trials and hardships, so naturally he was inferior to Helian Shu in terms of momentum when she truly showed her true self.
"I wonder what Princess Shu wants to talk to this king about privately today?" Xiao Hanzhi sat awkwardly opposite Helian Shu and also picked up a cup of sour plum soup from the table and took a sip.
Helian Shu covered her face and chuckled lightly. "Wasn't it you, Prince Han, who went to great lengths to invite me here today? Why are you asking me now?"
Xiao Hanzhi was choked by Helian Shu's words and didn't know how to explain.
According to Xiao Hanzhi's original plan, he wanted to use this kind of heroic rescue scene to win Helian Shu's admiration.
But he didn't expect that this scene had been seen through by Helian Shu. So this method couldn't be used anymore. But Xiao Hanzhi hadn't thought of a backup plan, so for a moment he was stunned and didn't know what to do.
Helian Shu saw Xiao Hanzhi's embarrassment. She stood up and walked straight towards Xiao Hanzhi, then sat down beside him.
"I understand that if I become your princess consort in the future, you may be one step further away from your goal." Helian Shu looked at Xiao Hanzhi and giggled. Her eyes were full of the joy of success.
Mentioning this matter, Xiao Hanzhi immediately remembered the previous humiliation. All his good feelings for Helian Shu vanished. He hid his fists in his sleeves and clenched them tightly, enduring his anger without exploding.
Although he was extremely angry inside, he still looked very calm on the surface. "Princess Shu is joking. You are as beautiful as a fairy. It would be an honor for this king to marry such a beautiful bride."
"Oh?" Helian Shu looked at Xiao Hanzhi with a half - smile. The corner of her mouth curled up slightly, making an upward - rising tail sound. She stretched out her finger and gently lifted Xiao Hanzhi's chin. "I really like to hear you say that. But you people from Dongling really like to beat around the bush. Why bother?"
Xiao Hanzhi lowered his head and gently pushed away Helian Shu's finger with his hand. He looked expressionless and didn't say anything else.
Helian Shu suddenly waved her sleeve and looked around. She found that the two of them had gradually reached the center of the lake.
"To put it bluntly, although I'm from Xiyue Kingdom, at least I know that if you marry a princess from a foreign country, it will be even more difficult for you to ascend to the throne. Who in this world doesn't want to sit on that position?" Helian Shu shifted her gaze to the lake surface. Her eyes looked a bit vacant, and it was hard to tell what she was thinking.
Xiao Hanzhi's face suddenly changed. He scolded in a low voice, "The matter of establishing the crown prince is decided by the emperor. How can you talk nonsense here!" Xiao Hanzhi was full of anger and really looked angry.
Helian Shu shrugged helplessly and looked at Xiao Hanzhi with an innocent face. "If you don't have such thoughts, then forget it. I can find someone else to cooperate with. Just consider this boat ride as a simple outing. It's a pity that if you miss this opportunity, I don't know if Prince Han will have another chance to achieve your wish?"
The subtext of Helian Shu's words made Xiao Hanzhi a little tempted. It was like when you were sleepy and someone just brought you a pillow. But this matter was a capital crime after all, so Xiao Hanzhi didn't want to show his thoughts casually.
So Xiao Hanzhi looked a bit hesitant and didn't know whether he should continue talking along with Helian Shu's words.
"Xiao Hanzhi, think it over carefully. This princess doesn't necessarily only need you. Think about it. The Second Prince is the legitimate son of the queen. His chance of success should be greater." Helian Shu looked at Xiao Hanzhi's hesitant appearance with a bit of sarcasm in her tone. She couldn't help but look down on him in her heart.
Comparing her own elder brother with Xiao Hanzhi's current hesitant appearance, it was really a world of difference. If it weren't for his good looks, Helian Shu would never have taken him seriously.
Mentioning the queen and the Second Prince, Xiao Hanzhi couldn't hold back anymore. He blurted out, "I wonder what good ideas Princess Shu has?"
As soon as he said this, it meant that Xiao Hanzhi already had the intention to cooperate. Although Xiao Hanzhi seemed a bit annoyed after saying this, the words had already been spoken and he couldn't take them back.
Helian Shu stretched out three fingers and waved them in front of Xiao Hanzhi. Her eyes were full of determination. This confident light filled her whole body. At this moment, Xiao Hanzhi suddenly understood why Helian Shu had been sent here for the marriage alliance.
Helian Shu's presence in Dongling Kingdom was undoubtedly a threat!
"Thirty percent! After I help you achieve what you want, I need 30% of the salt production from three cities in Dongling Kingdom!"
Xiao Hanzhi didn't even think about it. He shook his head and refused directly. "This is impossible! Don't even think about it! Salt is the lifeblood!"
But Helian Shu suddenly pounced on Xiao Hanzhi. Xiao Hanzhi subconsciously leaned back. The distance between them was only a few inches. Xiao Hanzhi could even clearly see his own reflection in Helian Shu's pupils.
"I'll ensure you ascend to the throne. Xiyue Kingdom will be your biggest backing! I only ask for 30% after it's done. Think it over?"
Xiao Hanzhi subconsciously swallowed his saliva. He was a bit tempted by the conditions Helian Shu offered.
"I don't think you'll allow the Second Prince to ascend to the throne. Concubine Chen and the queen are like fire and water. I'm afraid that if she becomes the empress dowager, the first thing she'll do is get rid of you and your mother."
After a long time...
"Twenty percent. No more!" Xiao Hanzhi said hesitantly, reporting this figure. He felt a bit guilty inside, as he was directly giving away the most important thing in Dongling Kingdom to others.